Memphis Police officer arrested for rape, incest

A Memphis Police officer has been arrested for rape and incest in a case involving a 16-year-old girl.

Cornelius Monger, 33, has been charged with rape, statutory rape by an authority figure and incest. Monger turned himself in to authorities Tuesday afternoon, and is being held on $100,000 bond.

In a statement, Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong condemned the officer, calling him a "criminal."

"It sickens me to know that an officer of the law has violated the innocence of a child. This individual calls himself a Memphis Police officer; I call him a criminal. The actions of this individual will undoubtedly bruise the image of the Memphis Police Department, but the citizens of Memphis must recognize that those officers that choose to violate the law only represent a small percentage of officers. Your Memphis Police Department is comprised of over 2,400 officers that choose to do good. We will continue to work hard to serve the citizens of Memphis, and we will continue to weed out those who violate the law."

The Shelby County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Unit began investigating the case in October after multiple sources reported that Monger was engaged in "inappropriate sexual contact with a member of his family," according to a release from the Sheriff's Department.

Witnesses and a victim came forward to corroborate the allegations, the department said, adding that the abuse began when she was 16.

This is the latest arrest of a Memphis police officer in a year in which at least 20 others have been charged with a variety of offenses.

City officials announced last week that they would conduct a wide-ranging review of Memphis Police Department policies, beginning with discipline. Officials will also look at best policing practices in other cities.

Monger, assigned to the Old Allen Station, has been relieved of duty with pay pending the outcome of the investigation.

He has been employed by the Memphis Police Department since July 10, 2006.